Our Patients

Weathering through the storm
Karol Behrle

Sep, 2023

Physicians: Jerome Kuhnlein, MD; David K. Rhine, MD; Jamie Birris, PsyD

Karol Behrle, 59, from Buchanan, had gone her whole life without ever being a patient in the hospital or even taking medication. That all changed when she was rushed to the Corewell Health Niles Hospital emergency department after experiencing sudden chest pains, nausea and weakness at home.

Further evaluation determined she had life-threatening heart rhythms, known as ventricular tachycardia. If left untreated, Karol was at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.  The care team at Corewell Health all agreed she needed a small electronic device, called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), to fix the irregularities.

An ICD was connected to her heart and used to continuously monitor and regulate Karol’s irregular heart rhythms. It delivers a shock, or defibrillation, to the heart when needed to make it beat in a regular rhythm again and prevent her heart from stopping.

Several weeks after discharge from the successful procedure, Karol experienced what is known as an electrical storm, when multiple shocks are administered from the ICD within a short period of time.

“It felt like a horse kicking me in the chest, over and over again,” said Karol. “I was really scared not being able to control what was happening to me.” Approximately a quarter of patients experience electrical storms after ICD implantation, which can lead to repeated hospitalizations.^[1]

Corewell Health cardiologists, Jerome Kuhnlein, M.D., and David K. Rhine, M.D., recommended a second procedure called a catheter ablation to block the irregular electrical signals causing repetitive defibrillator shocks. “I was hesitant to go back into surgery,” said Karol. “But I had great trust in the doctors treating me. They spent time educating me and talking me through each step.” The procedure successfully stopped the electrical storms from occurring.

While Karol was surrounded by supportive family, friends, neighbors and co-workers during her recovery, she had heightened anxiety that the electrical storms would return. “I was terrified of driving a car or even going to the grocery store, not knowing if I would suddenly get shocked again,” she said.

Karol found that meeting with clinical psychologist, Jamie Birris, PsyD, provided great comfort during her recovery. Therapy practices like support groups, journaling and embracing spirituality helped her move beyond feeling worried to feeling optimistic that she could continue living a full and happy life.

Now, Karol is finding her new normal, accepting that she will live the rest of her life with a defibrillator in her chest and the need for continued cardiac care. She is back to enjoying time with her family and friends, cooking and entertaining, volunteering in the community and taking care of her health. Karol said, “I’m not living in fear anymore. While this experience was totally unexpected, I know that my life was saved. I am so grateful for my support system and for the outstanding care I received through Corewell Health.”